Peach tree named ‘Summer Glory’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Tree having a vigorous, upright growth habit.   2. Tree being a regular and productive bearer of large size fruit.   3. Clingstone fruit with firm, yellow flesh.   4. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.   5. Fruit having an attractive dark red skin color.

Botanical designation: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘Summer Glory’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofpeach tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of peach trees, which are known to us, andmentioned herein, ‘Sierra Rich’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,391),‘Sweet Henry’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,068) and the proprietarynon-patented peach seedling selections ‘358LN360’, ‘79EG632’ and‘66EG140’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) wasdeveloped by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif.from a first generation cross between our proprietary non-patented peachseedling selection ‘358LN360’ and ‘Sweet Henry’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 16,068). The proprietary non-patented peach seed parent ‘358LN360’originated from a cross between our proprietary non-patented peachseedling selections ‘79EG632’ and ‘66EG140’. We planted and maintained alarge group of these first generation seedlings on their own rootsystem, during which time one seedling, which is the present variety,exhibited desirable tree and fruit characteristics and was selected in2013 for asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 2013 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peachtree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), asperformed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree andall characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present new variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) is of large size,vigorous, upright growth and a regular and productive bearer of largesize, yellow flesh, clingstone fruit. The fruit is further characterizedby its firm flesh, very good flavor and eating quality with good storageand shipping ability. In comparison to its seed parent (358LN360) thefruit of the new variety is approximately 21 days earlier in maturity.In comparison to its pollen parent ‘Sweet Henry’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 16,068) the fruit of the new variety is approximately 40 daysearlier in maturity. In comparison to the commercial variety ‘SierraRich’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,391) the fruit of the new variety islarger in size and is approximately 8 days later in maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new peach variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 5 year old tree and the colors are as nearly trueas is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofpeach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of5 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color inaccordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and            width for economical harvesting of fruit. Size varies with            different cultural practices.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters in height the            first growing season. Varies slightly with type and            fertility of soil, climatic conditions and cultural            practices.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching Habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 25°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit            necessary for desired market size fruit. Number of fruit set            varies with climatic conditions during blooming period.        -   Bearer.—Regular, has had adequate fruit set 4 consecutive            years. No alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self fertile.        -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to            increase air movement and sunlight to enhance fruit color            and health of fruit wood.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 650 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Large, average circumference 68.6 cm at 22.9 cm above            ground on a 5 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.        -   Color.—10YR 2/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 12.2 cm at 1.2 meters            above ground. Crotch angle approximately 25°, increases with            heavy crop load.        -   Surface Texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Average number 28 in a 25.8 square cm area.            Average length 2.8 mm. Average width 1.8 mm. Color 10YR 4/8            to 10YR 5/6.        -   Color.—New growth 2.5GY 7/6. Mature growth varies from 7.5YR            4/2 to 7.5YR 3/2, varies with age of growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 164.7 mm. Average width 44.7 mm.        -   Form.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Serrate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface Texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight            indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface            relatively smooth, except for small ridges created by midrib            and pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces            glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Average length 14.7 mm. Average width 1.9 mm.            Longitudinally grooved. Surface — glabrous. Color varies            from 2.5GY 5/6 to 5GY 5/4.        -   Glands.—Type — reniform. Size — small. Average length            0.7 mm. Average diameter 0.5 mm. Number varies from 2 to 5,            average number 3. Located primarily on upper portion of the            petiole and base of leaf blade. Color 2.5GY 5/8.        -   Stipules.—None present at time of measurement.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 3/6 to 7.5GY 3/4. Lower            surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 7.5GY 4/4. Midvein color            varies from 2.5GY 8/4 to 2.5GY 7/4.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 22.5 mm. Average diameter 11.3            mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Density.—Medium dense.        -   Form.—Elongated.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 3.6 mm. Average width 1.1 mm.            Surface — glabrous. Color varies from 2.5GY 5/8 to 5GY 6/6.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5RP 6/12 to 7.5RP 8/4.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming Period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 16, 2018. Date of            Petal Fall Feb. 26, 2018, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Large. Average height 24.0 mm. Average diameter 50.4            mm.        -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —            large. Average length 24.4 mm. Average width 21.1 mm. Petal            apex rounded. Petal base truncate. Form — obovate.            Arrangement — overlapping. Margin — sinuate. Color varies            from 5RP 7/8 to 5RP 8/4, fades with age of flower.        -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —            large. Average length 8.0 mm. Average width 7.1 mm. Sepal            apex — rounded to triangular. Shape — triangular. Margin —            entire. Color— upper surface varies from 5GY 5/8 to 5R 3/4.            Lower surface varies from 5R 3/4 to 5R 2/4. Surface — upper            surface glabrous, lower surface pubescent.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 44. Average filament            length 17.2 mm. On average, the stamens are above the height            of the petals. Filament color varies from N 9.5/ (white) to            5RP 7/6. Anther color varies from 7.5R 3/10 to 5Y 8/8.        -   Pollen.—Self fertile. Color varies from 2.5Y 8/14 to 2.5Y            7/10.        -   Pistil.—Number — normally one. Average length 21.9 mm.            Surface — pubescent. Position of stigma even with anthers.            Color varies from 10Y 8.5/6 to 10Y 8/6.        -   Fragrance.—Wanting.        -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 8/4 to 7.5RP 8/6.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 4.9 mm. Average width 1.3 mm.            Surface — glabrous. Color varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 5/8.        -   Number Flowers per Flower Bud.—Normally one.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity When Described.—Firm ripe and ready for            consumption.        -   Date of First Picking.—Jul. 2, 2018.        -   Date of Last Picking.—Jul. 12, 2018, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 75.5 mm. Average            transversely in suture plane 80.5 mm. Average weight 286.0            grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of            thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Slightly lipped.        -   Ventral Surface.—Slightly lipped.        -   Apex.—Slightly retuse.        -   Base.—Retuse.        -   Stem Cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 13.5 mm. Average diameter 9.3 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Small. Average length 7.2 mm. Average diameter 3.2 mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 5GY 6/8 to 2.5GY 6/8.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Good, comparable to other commercial peach            varieties.        -   Aroma.—Moderate.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating Quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Very good, with a good balance between acid and            sugar.        -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.        -   Acidity.—Not available.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 13.0°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 5Y 8/8 to 5R 4/8 where anthrocyanin color            is present.        -   Pit Cavity.—Average length 40.7 mm. Average width 28.7 mm.            Average depth 12.5 mm. Color varies from 2.5Y 8/8 to 7.5R            3/8.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—Moderate amount, short in length.        -   Tendency to Crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 2.5Y 7/8 to 2.5Y 8/6.            Overspread with 5R 3/4 to 5R 4/10.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.        -   Astringency.—Slight to none.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone, medium adherence to flesh.        -   Size.—Large. Average length 39.7 mm. Average width 27.7 min.            Average thickness 23.0 mm.        -   Form.—Obovoid.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 3.0 mm.        -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from rounded to            elongated.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further outward from            suture plane.        -   Ridges.—Small, narrow ridges extending from base toward            apex.        -   Tendency to Split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 5R 3/8 to 7.5R 2/8 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 20.2 mm. Average width 11.4 mm.            Average depth 6.4 mm.        -   Form.—Ovate.        -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.        -   Skin Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 8.5/8 to 2.5Y 8/10.-   Use:    -   -   Dessert.—Market — local and long distance.

KEEPING QUALITY

Good, held firm in cold storage 3 weeks at 38° to 42° F. withoutshriveling, internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss of flavor.

SHIPPING QUALITY

Good, showed minimal skin scarring or flesh bruising during picking,packing and shipping trials.

PLANT/FRUIT DISEASE RESISTANCE/SUSCEPTIBILITY

No specific testing for relative plant/fruit diseaseresistance/susceptibility has been designed. Under close observationduring planting, growing, and harvesting of fruit, under normal culturaland growing conditions near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruitdisease resistance or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety orselection observed during indexing of plant characteristics withabnormal fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyedand eliminated from our breeding program. No atypicalresistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal culturalpractices.

The present new variety of peach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruitherein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree(Prunus persica), substantially as illustrated and described.